Mother Truths: Poems on Early Motherhood

by Karen McMillan

Refreshingly honest rhymes on first-time motherhood. Karen McMillan delivers killer lines on motherhood that describe how it really feels for so many. Mother Truths is a funny, raw and viscerally real collection of poetry about early motherhood. It comprises of 38 poems and includes the viral hit ‘ That First Year’ . A beautiful, deeply personal and extremely relatable must-read for any new mother that will undoubtedly bring much comfort (and a few tears) during the ups and downs of those first few years postpartum. Mother Truths doesn't shy away from the difficult subjects but instead brings voice to the many vulnerable and unspoken truths of early motherhood. There is lightness and comedy to be found too and an overriding sense of love for her son which bounces off the page. This is an authentic and empowering tale of one first-time mother finding her own voice through parenting which depicts the journey of simultaneously losing and finding oneself in motherhood. From insecure and overwhelmed to finding her feet and discovering the quiet ferocity of the gentle mother through attachment parenting. Hear her roar! This collection of poetry will amuse and move readers in equal measure.

Genres: Poetry, Parenting, Nonfiction

100 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give it to all new parents / soon to be parents / friends who have friends that are new parents (everyone then)

[Kate Hoyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silently sobbing, reading this, while watching my daughter happily play around the living room. Almost a year into motherhood and still trying to get to know and figure out this new version of myself. This book of poems really helped me feel “seen” while also reiterating that this is the best and most rewarding journey.

[Emma Blair Fedison · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You see/
Helping you grow has been/
Simultaneously/
The undoing/
But also the making, of me”

Sobbing. I resonated more and more with each line. Really beautiful honest take on motherhood - the good, bad, ugly, and wonderful. Great mix of heart wrenching and funny.

Highly recommend for new moms!

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a mom is hard. Life changes so much. You change entirely the moment they’re born and the people around you either stick by your side or slowly fade away. Anxiety, exhaustion, figuring out who you are, maintaining your marriage and bond, all while taking care of a new and innocent life. This book of poems captures what it feels like to be a mom with a newborn. The other poems were just as touching and I’m sure I will read them again as my baby boy grows.

…………………………..

“But oh remember That bloated adolescence of ours? Carefree and easy Doing nothing for hours

And of course, I wouldn’t change it It’s better now we've him I guess what I’m saying is I miss you. A bit”

“But when all’s said and done If I could choose anyone to Navigate through This parenthood It would always Be you”

❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[Maya Osseiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect. ❤️

[Daniela · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels unfair because it seems like I’ve definitely had a different experience in early motherhood from the author based on majority of her poems. Felt most of them are a bit negative towards the experience and just draining. I did enjoy “Next Time Around” but the rest I did not really relate to.

[Pamala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something that is personal to me currently.

[Kavya Janani U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read in the 'motherhood poetry' genre. And I must say I was mind-blown! Karen has written some raw truths in the form of poems. I could see myself and my own experiences with motherhood reflected in this book.

Some poems were hard-hitting, while some were downright hilarious. I highlighted whole poems so that I could go back and read them whenever I want. The easy-to-read format of the poems adds to the beauty of the book.

My favourite poems:

1. The Things You'll Miss
2. That First Year
3. In Pursuit of a Nap
4. Martyr Mother
5. In the Trenches
6. Growing Pains
7. Ode to the Mighty Nap
8. They Said
9. Fiercely Gentle Mother
10. Hide and Seek
11. Last Mum Standing
12. Weaners

I would highly recommend this poetry collection for all expectant mums, new mums, toddler mums, and all kinds of mums out there.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book to gift every new mom. Here is my favorite. Support the author through purchasing on Amazon!

MOTHER OF ALL CONTRADICTIONS

I'm so happy with my choices
Yet question them daily

I've never felt so accomplished
At something I'm failing

I'm excited for the future
Yet always looking back

I'm bursting at the seams
With all the things that I lack

I'm vacant
But always so full of you

I've learned so much
But still don't have a clue

I'm close to my limit
But can't get enough

I'm put upon, I'm passive
But undeniably tough

I'm gentle
But can't help shouting

I'm certainly
Doubting

I'm oblivious
But care, so much, what you think

I'm the steady, stable one
Always teetering on the brink

I'm unemployed
Yet have never worked so bloody hard

I'm that happy smiling soul
Who's full of mard

I'm permanently skint
But have never felt richer

I'm mindfully looking
At the bigger picture

I need a break
But always want you close

I'm invisible
Yet never felt so exposed

I give others advice
I can't seem to follow

I find yours, especially
Hard to swallow

I complain that I'm lonely
But just want to be alone

I'm positively grateful
But love a good moan

I'm absent
Yet ever-present

I'm dull
But effervescent

I'm tired
Yet enlivened

I'm loving this
But can't abide it

I'm strong in my beliefs
Yet lack conviction

I'm reality TV
And a work of fiction

I'm the Mother
Of all contradictions

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting. I have never read anything so relatable to that strange but wonderful and yet often confusing time that is early motherhood. The author hits every nail on the head laying out all the truths and I have added her other works to my ‘to read’ list. I will be recommending this book to all new parents as a must read. Though nothing really prepares you for motherhood, this collection of poems at least makes you feel less lonely and that you are not, in fact, going insane.

[Christina Renner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost brought tears to my eyes

I’m a first-time mother. My son just turned four months old. I saw one of the poems on Facebook and read it. I loved it! Out of curiosity I searched the book and found it. I loved every single poem. Even though my son is still so small, I can only imagine him being just like the authors’ son when he being to grow. Highly recommend this book to any mom!

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book of poems about motherhood. My only complaint would be that the rhyming got a little corny and forced at times, but the sentiment was nice enough that I could look past that.

My favorite poems from this collection were…
1. It’s Different Now
2. Ode to the Mighty Nap
3. S.A.H.M
4. The Parental Paradox
5. Mother of all Contradictions
6. Dads Matter too
7. Enjoy Every Minute
8. Two
9. Next Time Around

[Jo S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this before the birth of my second child. It's okay but there is better prose out there. I could imagine her posting up these little poems on Instagram with that day's photo. Nothing offensive about it but there weren't any poems that particularly spoke to me either. Perhaps that's because my son is 3.5yrs and this stuff doesn't really feel relevant unless you're in the first year of motherhood.
Probably would make a good gift for a new mum.

[Zowie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and Beautiful, Funny and emotional!

I defy any mother not to enjoy and relate to this poetry book in some way.
It’s been 18 years now since I became a mum but I remember all of these emotions as though it was yesterday.
This poet has truly captured all the tricky, testing, emotional and amazing feelings and situations of becoming a mum in a variety of poems. A beautiful, brilliant, funny and emotional read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting the night before my due date, having been gifted it by a friend who’s recently had a baby. The perfect gift for a mum-to-be, new mum… or any mum really! I actually thought of gifting a copy to my own mum. This made me nod, laugh, tear up, and is utterly relatable already. I’m sure I’ll be re-reading it lots!

[Vanessa DC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful collection of poems. I am not usually a poetry reader, however Karen managed to capture my thoughts and feelings about early motherhood so perfectly. I read them all with a tear in my eye because of how much her writing spoke to me.

[Naixa Brignoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Book for Mother’s

Wow, every poem I felt the words in my own experience. And these poems are relatable and so much so it feels like words you felt but never could put into words. So thanks to this book for bring consciousness alive in a book.

[Jacinta Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems truly explain the hard, confusing, and all consuming way it feels to be a new mom. I think everyone should read this short but powerful book. Whether you're a parent, expecting, or just have friends who are parents.

[Olivia Greenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these poems in my first month of motherhood in the middle of the night while feeding baby. It brought me a lot of comfort and helped me get through some tough moments early postpartum. They are lovely and fun and easy to read. I wish there were more!

[Jane Crutchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found Karen on Facebook to start off with. Her honest words were a really comfort. Especially in the tricky night feeds and days when you doubt everything you’re doing as a Mum. She acknowledges the hard parts of being a Mum whilst reminding you of the joy too xxx

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely collection about the early years of motherhood, the ups and the downs

[Amy Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet poems, they perfectly encapsulate early motherhood.

[Heather Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed to read this. I'm 7 weeks postpartum with my second child and it's harder this time. These poems really gave me light during a dark, dark time.

[Annielog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accurate, honest, liberating, needed.

[Rachel Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!
Half of them made me cry as they just resonated so fully with me.
I particularly loved ‘Mother of all contradictions’

[Cassandra P · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book of poetry for all new moms!!

[Madara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, funny, beautiful bits to convey that early motherhood’s complexity of feelings.

[Katy Luxem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Karen’s honest and heartfelt take on the early days of motherhood. She feels everything deeply and through her, you will too.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.
Would recommend to every mother.
I picked this book up just after my son was born and finished it when he was 20 months old. The poems resonated more as he was older.

[Megan H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloquent. Healing. Relatable. I felt so seen as a new momma. I chuckled. I cried. I cannot wait to share this with others.